Partnerships Lead

About the Role

The role oversees a portfolio of key commercial partners, including Principal Partners. It is responsible for maximising partnership value through strategic partnership management, exceptional rights delivery, innovative activation programmes and the development of long-term commercial relationships that support the objectives of both the club and its partners. Based within the Partnerships department, the position has direct reports including Senior Partnership Manager and Partnership Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead partnership management and commercial growth for a portfolio of key commercial partners, including Principal Partners, and build trusted relationships with senior partner stakeholders as the lead day-to-day relationship owner.
• Develop and deliver partnership strategies and activation plans that achieve agreed objectives, KPIs and measurable ROI.
• Support the Head of Partnerships and Director of Partnerships on renewal strategies for relevant partners, working with Commercial Sales & Strategy to extend partnerships ahead of contractual completion dates where possible.
• Oversee the execution of contractual rights, campaigns, events and activations to the highest standard, lead partner reporting, budget management and performance tracking across all accounts, and identify opportunities to enhance partnership value, drive account growth and support renewals.
• Lead selected special projects and events, ensuring all club partners are fully integrated and engaged, and champion best practice in partnership management, project delivery and industry-leading partner servicing.
• Create a culture where club partners can network and collaborate effectively, and support a high-performance team culture through leadership, collaboration and mentoring.
• Manage and develop direct reports, providing coaching, guidance and performance support, and work collaboratively across Chelsea FC to ensure outstanding partner experiences and effective delivery of partnership programmes.
• Demonstrate Chelsea FC values, leadership behaviours and world-class partnership servicing standards, and deliver partner success across accounts by achieving contractual commitments, strategic objectives and commercial KPIs.
• Drive partner satisfaction, retention, renewal value and account growth opportunities, and lead internal stakeholder engagement to foster cross-functional collaboration and successful delivery across the business.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Extensive and proven experience within sponsorship, partnerships, sports marketing, or a related commercial environment.
• Proven experience leading the management and growth of high-value global partnerships, delivering against both partner objectives and business goals.
• Strong track record of developing and overseeing integrated partnership activation strategies across multiple channels, including digital, social, content, and experiential.
• Demonstrable strategic and analytical capability, with the ability to translate data and insights into actionable recommendations and commercial outcomes.
• Commercially astute and results-driven, with experience identifying opportunities to drive revenue growth, partner retention, and long-term value creation.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship management skills, with the ability to influence and build credibility with senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience leading, coaching, and developing team members, ensuring high standards of performance, collaboration, and resource management.
• Highly organised and proactive, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, navigate complexity, and consistently deliver under pressure.
• A collaborative leader who embodies Chelsea FC's values, fostering a positive team culture and contributing to the success of the wider commercial function.
• Willingness to work across locations and outside standard business hours when required, including matchdays, weekends, and international travel.
• Commitment to embody the club's BLUE behaviours (Brave, Lead, Unity, Edge) in the approach to work and interaction with others.
• Commitment to adhere to the club's policies and procedures, including Health & Safety, Financial Authorisation, Confidentiality and GDPR.
• Commitment to act as an ambassador for diversity, equality, and inclusion, treating others fairly in line with the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy and reporting any acts of discrimination through appropriate channels.
• Commitment to create a safe environment and act to protect all young people and vulnerable adults in care or attending club premises, reporting any concerns to the Safeguarding Lead.
• Commitment to report any misconduct or suspected misconduct to the HR Department.